Golden relay boys seek to pool talent again for a 'three-peat' in 2028

BRITAIN’S freestyle relay heroes swam into the record books last night with a superb defence of their 4x200m title, then set their sights on an historic “three-peat” in Los Angeles in four years’ time.

- Malik Ouzia

Leading from gun to tape, Duncan Scott, James Guy, Tom Dean and individual silver medallist Matt Richards became the first Brits to defend an Olympic relay title, as well as the first swimmers from any nation to do so as an unchanged team.

Prior to Team GB’s success in Tokyo, American teams featuring the great Michael Phelps had won the event at four Games in a row, but here the US were forced to settle for silver, with Australia taking bronze.

“To be crowned Olympic champions again with the same quartet is pretty special,” said Guy, now a six-time relay medallist at the Games. “We will have to do four more years and beat them on their home turf.”

At 28, Guy admitted he is no certainty to make it to LA, but team-mate Richards, already a back-to-back champion at 21, is ready to lead the charge.